Enda McGinley has described Cathal McShane's expected departure to the AFL as a 'body blow' to Tyrone.

TeamTalkmag.com reported yesterday that the All Star full forward is on the verge of signing a two-year deal with Brisbane Lions, and writing in the Irish News, three-time All-Ireland winner McGinley admitted that it was devastating news for the Red Hands.

"No matter what way you dress it up, bottom line, Cathal McShane’s apparently imminent departure to the AFL is a body blow for all involved in the Tyrone senior team," he stated.

"McShane was, without, doubt the stand-out positive note in 2019. When Mickey Harte spoke in the bowels of Croke Park of the positive steps and improvements made in the year, McShane’s role was presumably the primary thing that the manager was referring to.

"Three goals and 32 points registered across the six Championship games he played last year in the All-Ireland series shows his scoring impact, but he brought much more than that."

McGinley added: "Harte has always been steadfast in his criticism of the GAA’s ongoing flirtation with the AFL. Having already lost out on getting to work with one of the county's generational stars in Conor McKenna, he is now being robbed of Cathal McShane, just as the player himself had come into his own.

"Ironically, McShane had just spent the past season making himself indispensable. He had proven himself capable of the sort of consistent and unique play that allows a manager to change his game plan and build it around a specific player."

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